Fabrics

Materials
All of the fabrics should be hemmed or pinked, clean, and well pressed.

- Box 1:
8 to 10 pairs of fabrics made of natural materials such as silk, cotton, wool, jute, flax, etc.

- Box 2:
8 to 10 pairs of fabric made of coarse materials such as corduroy, burlap, dotted swiss, denim, etc.

- Box 3:
8 to 10 pairs of fabric made of fine materials such as chiffon, satin, chambray, organdy, felt, etc.

- A blindfold

Presentation

Introduction
Invite the child to come and work with you. Wash your hands and sensitize your fingers before taking out the material. Show him the first box of fabrics and have him bring it over to the table. Have him place it near the top part of the table. Then have the child sit to your left. Tell the child that we will be working with fabrics.

Procedure
- Remove the lid and place it to the right of the box.
- Remove all of the fabrics, and close the box.
- Place the box off to the right side.
- Using your fingers and thumb of one hand, feel the fabric.
- Change hands and feel in a similar way.
- Allow the child to also feel the fabric.
- Go through all of the different fabrics and feel them, always allowing the child to feel as well.
Note: You and the child only need to feel one of each pair.
- Mix all of the fabrics and place them all in one pile.
- Tell the child: “I am going to match the fabrics with my eyes closed.”
- Close your eyes and reach for the fabric on top of the pile.
- Feel it in the same way as before and then reach for the next fabric from the pile.
- Feel both fabrics, one in each hand. (As shown in the photograph off to the side.)

- Then switch the fabrics to feel each one in the different hand.
- If it is not a match, place the second fabric to the right of the pile.
- Then reach for the next fabric on top of the pile.
- If it is a match, tell the child that you think they are the same.
- Then have the child touch them both to check.
- Place the pair in a pile to the left of the large pile.
- Replace any of the fabrics to the right of the pile back on top of the large pile.
- Repeat the matching until all of the pairs have been matched.
- Mix the fabrics and allow the child to pair.

Exercises

Exercise 1
The child works individually with the first fabric box as was shown in the presentation

Exercise 2
The child works with Box 2 in the same way as with Box 1. The directress has only to introduce the material to the child and then he can work alone.

Exercise 3
The child works with Box 3 in the same as with Box 1. The directress has only to introduce the material to the child and then he can work alone.

Language           
After sufficient experience, the names of the fabrics may be given in a 3-Period Lesson form.

Purpose

Direct
To further refine the tactile sense.

Control of Error
In the material: the color, design, and texture of the fabrics.

Age            
3 1/2 years

Note            
A blindfold is optional for this work.
The fabrics should be changed every so often to maintain the interest of the
child and to offer him a greater experience.      

Questions, Comments ?

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